Showko Showfukutei provided a good laugh when she performed Rakugo, a Japanese traditional comedy with some modern characters, and ventriloquism, when visiting Tonga on August 14-17.

A finalist in Australia's Got Talent 2016, she performed various pieces of the Rakugo, ventriloquism and puppetry amusing students during visits to Tailulu College and Tonga High School. She provided more laughter to the public during a free show at Tanoa International Dateline Hotel.

Showko performed for Prime Minister Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva and others at a special event hosted by the Japanese Ambassador HE Mr Tetsuya Ishii at his residence.

The Ambassador said Rakugo is a popular form of comic storytelling, which involves only a single actor creating drama with various facial expressions and different vocal sounds. It is a traditional form of Japanese theatre that takes many years to study to become a skillful and professional performer. He hoped Showko’s visit strengthens Tonga and Japan’s cooperation and friendship though the sharing of laughter.

Tonga is the first island in the Pacific where Showko has performed. Her tour is one of the many cultural events co-hosted by the Embassy of Japan and Japan Foundation to enhance Tongans' knowledge of Japanese culture and lifestyle.